System for managing media services

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor (MCP) having a controller to detect a communication device roaming into a personal area network, receive a communication identifier from the communication device, authenticate the communication device responsive to validating the communication identifier, and enable the communication device to manage operations of the MCP according to a profile of a subscriber of the communication device responsive to a successful authentication of the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/866,876 filed Oct. 3, 2007 which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to media services and morespecifically to a system for managing media services.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Media content processors such as Set-Top Box (STB) receivers aretypically managed by a radio frequency or infrared remote controller.Such controllers are generally shared by multiple parties in a householdor office. Although some remote controllers can be customized,customization can be cumbersome on a per user basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict exemplary embodiments of a communication system;

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of thecommunication system; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storagemedium operating in a network element of a multimedia communicationsystem can have computer instructions for receiving from a Set-Top Box(STB) receiver a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) of a cellularcommunication device that has established communications with the STBreceiver by way of a Personal Area Network (PAN), determining whetherthe MIN of the cellular communication device has an association with theSTB receiver, establishing communications with the cellularcommunication device by way of the STB receiver responsive to detectingan association between the MIN and the STB receiver, authenticating asubscriber of the STB receiver according to an authentication messagesupplied by the cellular communication device of said subscriber by wayof the STB receiver, identifying a profile of the subscriber responsiveto a successful authentication of the subscriber, transmitting to theSTB receiver the profile of the subscriber to manage a presentation ofmedia services by the STB receiver.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a Media Content Processor(MCP) can have a controller to detect a communication device roaminginto a PAN, receive a communication identifier from the communicationdevice, authenticate the communication device responsive to validatingthe communication identifier, and enable the communication device tomanage operations of the MCP according to a profile of a subscriber ofsaid communication device responsive to a successful authentication ofsaid communication device.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cellular phone can have acontroller to detect a PAN managed by an MCP, establish communicationswith the MCP over the PAN, receive a notification from the MCP offeringmedia content services upon receiving authentication data, transmit tothe MCP a communication identifier, receive notice from the MCP that thecellular phone has been enabled to manage operations of the MCPresponsive to the communication identifier having an association withthe MCP, and manage operations of the MCP.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 100.The communication system 100 can represent an IPTV broadcast mediasystem. In a typical IPTV infrastructure, there is at least one superhead office server (SHS) which receives national media programs fromsatellite and/or media servers from service providers of multimediabroadcast channels. In the present context, media programs can representaudio only content, video only content, and/or combinations thereof. TheSHS server forwards IP packets associated with the media content tovideo head servers (VHS) via a network of video head offices (VHO)according to a common multicast communication method.

The VHS then distributes multimedia broadcast programs to commercialand/or residential buildings 102 housing a gateway 104 (e.g., aresidential gateway or RG). The gateway 104 distributes broadcastsignals to media content processors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs)receivers which in turn present broadcast selections to media devices108 such as computers or television units. Unicast traffic can also beexchanged between the STBs 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD).

The STBs can be managed by a media controller 107. In the presentillustration, the media controller 107 can represent a cellular phonecomprising a wireless headset and wireless communication device. Thewireless headset and wireless communication device can be wirelesslycoupled to each other by way of a Personal Area Network (PAN). The STBreceivers 106 can also include common communication technology tointeract with the media controller 107 over the PAN. The PAN can operateaccording to any number of short-range wireless access protocolsincluding without limitation 802 protocols defined by the Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers such as for example Bluetooth,Wireless Fidelity (or WiFi), and Zigbee. The PAN can also support othershort range protocols such as ultra-wideband, and digital enhancedcordless telecommunications (or DECT).

It should be noted that the wireless communication device can operate asa multimode communication device. That is, it can communicate with thewireless headset and the STB receiver 106 over the PAN in one mode, andalso communicate with a wireless cellular base station 117 according toany number of long-range wireless access technologies (e.g., GSM, CDMA,UMTS, etc.). Communications between the wireless communication deviceand the base station 117 can be over a voice and/or data channel (e.g.,GPRS, EVDO, etc.)

The IPTV media system can be coupled to one or more computing devices130 that can operate as a web server for providing portal services overan Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 132 to fixed media devices108 or portable communication devices 116 by way of the wireless basestation 117. The computing devices 130 can also represent a backendsystem that utilizes common computing technology for authenticatingsubscribers of the IPTV media system as well as managing profilesassociated with said subscribers. The profile can represent a number ofsubscriber attributes such as for example subscriber media preferencesestablished by each subscriber over the portal, a behavior model of thesubscriber derived from common pattern analysis techniques applied tomedia content consumed by said subscriber, and so on. A subscriberprofile can be used by the STB 106 to tailor media services on a persubscriber basis.

A satellite broadcast system can be used in place of the IPTV mediasystem of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite115 can be intercepted by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled tobuilding 102 which conveys media signals to the media receivers 106. Themedia receivers 106 can be equipped with a broadband port to the ISPnetwork 132. Although not shown, the communication system 100 can alsobe combined or replaced with analog or digital broadcast distributionssystems such as cable TV systems. It would be apparent therefore to oneof ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure can be appliedto any broadcast media system.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture.Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupled withcommunication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

The communication 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 240, atElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and network elements of anIMS network 250. The IMS network 250 can be coupled to IMS compliantcommunication devices (CD) 201, 202 or a Public Switched TelephoneNetwork (PSTN) CD 203 using a Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF) 220that connects the call through a common PSTN network 260. The CDs201-203 can be representative embodiments of the wireless communicationdevice of the media controller 107 and/or the fixed and portablecommunication devices 108, 116.

IMS CDs 201, 202 register with the IMS network 250 by contacting a ProxyCall Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with anAuthentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) support by the HSS240. To accomplish a communication session between CDs, an originatingIMS CD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE messageto an originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIPINVITE message to an application server (AS) such as reference 210 toprovide a variety of services to IMS subscribers. For example, theapplication server 210 can be used to perform originating treatmentfunctions on the calling party number received by the originating S-CSCF206 in the SIP INVITE message.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number to a SIP UniformResource Identifier (URI) if the targeted communication device is IMScompliant. If the targeted communication device is a PSTN device, theENUM system 230 will respond with an unsuccessful address resolution andthe S-CSCF 206 will forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a BreakoutGateway Control Function (not shown).

When the ENUM server 230 returns a SIP URI, the SIP URI is used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submit a query to the HSS 240 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 202. Once identified, the I-CSCF 207 can submit theSIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214 which can call on anapplication server similar to reference 210 to perform the originatingtreatment telephony functions described earlier. The terminating S-CSCF214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216 associated with theterminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals the CD 202 to establishcommunications. The aforementioned process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 can be interchanged.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary method 300 operating in portions of thecommunication systems 100-200. For convenience, the term communicationsystem 100 as used in the following paragraphs can mean communicationsystems 100 and 200 singly or in combination. Method 300 begins withstep 302 in which the media controller 107 roams into the PAN of the STB106. For illustration purposes only it will be assumed that the PAN is aBluetooth PAN. With this in mind, the STB 106 and MC 107 establish instep 304 communications with each other over the Bluetooth PAN by commonmeans. In step 306, the STB 106 can be programmed to transmit a noticeto the MC 107 asking the subscriber of the MC whether s/he is interestedin establishing a voice or data browsing session with a backend system130 to enable the MC to manage operations of the STB.

The notice can be presented by way of a display of the wirelesscommunication device of the MC 107. The subscriber of the MC 107 canrespond to the notice by manipulating any number of user interfacefunctions of the wireless communication device. For example, thesubscriber can select a key of a keypad of the wireless communication,or the subscriber can speak into the wireless headset to dictate anaction which is recognized by the wireless communication device bycommon voice recognition techniques. If the subscriber rejects the offerto establish communications with the backend system 130 in step 308,method 300 ends.

If on the other hand the subscriber accepts the offer, the MC 107proceeds to step 310 where it establishes communications with thebackend system 130 a number of ways. For example, the MC 107 canestablish communications with the backend system 130 over a cellularcommunication session by way of the base station 117 using voice and/ordata channels. Alternatively, the MC 107 can submit a request to the STB106 over the Bluetooth PAN to establish communications with the backendsystem 130 over the ISP network 132. Once communications have beenestablished between the MC 107 and the backend system 130, the MCproceeds to step 312 where it submits a communication identifier (CID)to the backend system.

The CID can represent a Mobile Identification Number (MIN) of thewireless communication device of the MC 107. In an IMS communicationsystem, the CID or MIN can represent a SIP URI of the wirelesscommunication device. In another embodiment, the CID or MIN canrepresent an E.164 number (e.g., 222-333-4444). In yet anotherembodiment, the CID or MIN can represent a Media Access Control (MAC)number, an Electronic Serial Number (ESN), an email address, or someother suitable means to identify the subscriber of the MC 107.

In step 314, the backend system 130 can be programmed to determine ifthe CID of the MC 107 is associated with the STB 106. This step canrepresent the backend system 130 indexing a database (local or remote)according to the CID to determine if the subscriber of the MC 107 is apotential subscriber of the STB 106 as well. The database used by thebackend system 130 can be populated by a service agent of thecommunication system 100 when a consumer subscribes to the services ofsaid communication system.

If there is no association between the CID and the STB 106, method 300ends. Otherwise, the backend system 130 proceeds to step 316 where itsubmits a request to the MC 107 for authentication data. The request canbe invoked by a voice browser of the backend system 130 operating as acommon interactive voice response system (IVR) which can interact withthe subscriber of the MC 107 during the authentication process. Theauthentication data can be provided by the subscriber of the MC 107 byvoice (e.g., IVR: “Please state your password.” Subscriber: “DallasCowboys”) and/or keypad entry (e.g., IVR: “Please enter or state apersonal identification number.” Subscriber: states a PIN or selectskeys on keypad which generate DTMF tones). The authentication data canrepresent a password known only to the subscriber which a serviceprovider of the communication system 100 can require to avoid misuse ofthe media services by unsubscribed users.

If the backend system 130 detects in step 318 that the authenticationdata supplied by the subscriber is invalid, method 300 can end after aprescribed number of attempts have failed (e.g., not more than threetries). If the authentication data is valid, the backend system 130 canproceed to step 320 where it identifies a profile of the subscriberaccording to the CID. The profile as noted earlier can be used to tailormedia services presented by the STB 106 to the preferences of thesubscriber. In step 322, the backend system 130 can transmit the profileto the STB 106 over the ISP network 132 and direct it to present mediaservices according to said profile.

Responsive to receiving the profile, the STB 106 can enable in step 324the MC 107 to manage its operations. The STB 106 can enable the MC 107to manage the STB's operations by submitting a notice to the MC whichthe MC presents to the subscriber audibly at the wireless headset orvisually by way of a display of the wireless communication device. Fromthis point on, the subscriber can manage in step 326 operations of theSTB 106 by way of the MC 107.

In step 326 the subscriber can perform a number of functions from the MC107. For example the subscriber can switch between voice or audio mediachannels of the STB 106. The subscriber can also browse a VoD catalog ofthe communication system 100. The subscriber can also manage DVRservices of the STB 106. The subscriber can also download to the STB 106media files stored in the MC 107 to a personal library maintained by theSTB.

Any of these activities can be managed by voice or keypad responsesapplied to the MC 107 by the subscriber. The interactions between the MC107 and the STB 106 can occur in a number of ways. For example, thewireless headset of the MC 107 can directly connect to the STB 106. Thewireless headset can instead connect to the wireless communicationdevice by way of the Bluetooth PAN, and the wireless communicationdevice can connect to the STB 106 by way of the Bluetooth PAN. In yetanother embodiment the subscriber can exclusively use the wirelesscommunication device (without the wireless headset) to manage operationsof the STB 106. In this embodiment, the wireless communication devicecan as before interface to the STB 106 by way of the Bluetooth PAN.

Method 300 provides a means for multiple subscribers of the STB 106 touniquely manage media services of the STB by way of their respectivemedia controller 107 (i.e., cellular phone, PDA, laptop computer, orsimilar communication device). This is especially useful in a multi-userhousehold or office environment.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. For example, method 300 can beadapted so that the functions of the backend system 130 are performed inwhole or in part by the STB 106. Accordingly the STB 106 can manage thesubscriber's profile. The STB 106 can also perform the association andauthentication steps described for the backend system 130. Method 300can also be adapted to skip the authentication steps 316 and 318 of FIG.3.

In yet another embodiment, method 300 can also be adapted so that themedia controller 107 (embodied for example in a cell phone) transmitsthe profile of the subscriber to the STB 106 to manage presentationsthereby. For example, suppose a user is watching a TV program on his/hercell phone. When the cell phone enters the PAN, it performs in whole orin part steps 302 through 318 and transmits a profile of the subscriberto the STB 106. The profile can provide real-time information associatedwith activities taking place at the cell phone as well as predefinedpreferences of the subscriber. The profile can thus inform the STB 106that the subscriber is presently viewing a select TV program. The STB106 can in response immediately search the TV program and begin itspresentation at media device 108 once found; thus providing thesubscriber a seamless transition between media devices (i.e., viewingthe TV program on the cell phone display versus viewing the same programon a large screen TV).

In another embodiment, method 300 can be adapted so that the subscriberis controlling functions of the STB 106 by way of the wireless headset(e.g., Bluetooth headset connected to STB over the PAN) while surfingthe Internet or engaging in a chat room or instant messaging (IM)session on the cell phone over WiFi or a cellular data channel (e.g.,GPRS, CDMA-1X, EVDO, etc.). In this embodiment, the subscriber can forexample receive a message from a friend over an IM session suggesting anew program to watch. The subscriber can communicate this new program tothe STB 106 over a speech command (“Please switch to channel 35”). Thusthe wireless headset and cell phone can perform multiple communicationsover disparate communication paths in a multimodal fashion. That is, thesubscriber can communicate with the STB 106 in a voice modality with thewireless headset while also communicating with a third party over a datachannel supplied by the cell phone independent of the STB in a visualand/or touch-sensitive modality.

These are but a few examples of modifications that can be applied to thepresent disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims.Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fullerunderstanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 400 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 400 may include a processor 402 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 404 and a static memory 406, which communicate with each othervia a bus 408. The computer system 400 may further include a videodisplay unit 410 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system400 may include an input device 412 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 414 (e.g., a mouse), a mass storage medium 416, a signalgeneration device 418 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a networkinterface device 420.

The mass storage medium 416 may include a computer-readable storagemedium 422 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 424) embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein, including those methods illustrated above.The computer-readable storage medium 422 can be an electromechanicalmedium such as a common disk drive, or a mass storage medium with nomoving parts such as Flash or like non-volatile memories. Theinstructions 424 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 404, the static memory 406, and/or within theprocessor 402 during execution thereof by the computer system 400. Themain memory 404 and the processor 402 also may constitutecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 424, or that which receives and executes instructions 424from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 426 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 426 using the instructions 424. Theinstructions 424 may further be transmitted or received over a network426 via the network interface device 420.

While the computer-readable storage medium 422 is shown in an exampleembodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storagemedium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media(e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated cachesand servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include anymedium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set ofinstructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine toperform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be takento include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; andcarrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions ina transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one ormore of a computer-readable storage medium or a distribution medium, aslisted herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successormedia, in which the software implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R..sctn. 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A machine-readable storage device, comprisingexecutable instructions, which when executed by a processor operating ina network element of a multimedia communication system, causes theprocessor to perform operations comprising: receiving an identifier of acommunication device that has established communications with a mediaprocessor by way a personal area network responsive to the communicationdevice having accepted from the media processor an offer to access mediacontent services; determining an association between the identifier ofthe communication device and the media processor; facilitatingcommunications with the communication device responsive to theassociation between the identifier and the media processor;authenticating the communication device according to the identifier; andtransmitting to the media processor, information to enable thecommunication device to manage media services provided by the mediaprocessor.
 2. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, furthercomprising authenticating a subscriber of the media processor accordingto an authentication message, wherein the authentication messagecomprises a data message, execution of the instructions causes theprocessor to perform operations comprising processing the authenticationmessage as a data message.
 3. The machine-readable storage device ofclaim 1, wherein the communication device comprises a wireless headsetand a wireless communication device.
 4. The machine-readable storagedevice of claim 3, wherein each of the wireless headset and the wirelesscommunication device are wirelessly coupled to the media processor byway of the personal area network.
 5. The machine-readable storage deviceof claim 1, wherein the personal area network operates according to oneof a plurality of 802 wireless access protocols defined by the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
 6. The machine-readable storagedevice of claim 1, wherein the personal area network operates accordingto a protocol selected from a group consisting of a Bluetooth protocol,a wireless fidelity protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a Zigbeeprotocol, and a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications protocol.7. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein themultimedia communication system is selected from a group consisting ofan internet protocol television communication system, a satellitetelevision communication system, and a cable television communicationsystem, and wherein the media processor utilizes a profile of asubscriber to tailor a presentation of media content for the subscriber.8. The machine-readable storage device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise notifying the media processor that asubscriber has been authenticated, wherein the media processor enablesthe communication device to manage operations of the media processor asa remote controller responsive to said notification.
 9. A media contentprocessor, comprising: a memory to store executable instructions; and aprocessor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor, when executingthe instructions, performs operations comprising: detecting acommunication device roaming into a personal area network; extending tothe communication device an offer to access media content services;receiving in response to the offer a communication identifier from thecommunication device; determining that the communication device isauthenticated according to the communication identifier; and enablingthe communication device to manage operations of the media contentprocessor responsive to a successful authentication of saidcommunication device.
 10. The media content processor of claim 9,wherein the operations further comprise: establishing communicationswith a network element of a multimedia communication system;transmitting the communication identifier to the network element toauthenticate the communication device; and presenting apicture-in-picture graphical user interface to allow navigation throughmedia services offered by the media content processor.
 11. The mediacontent processor of claim 10, wherein the operations further compriseenabling the communication device to manage operations of the mediacontent processor by way of the picture-in-picture graphical userinterface.
 12. The media content processor of claim 9, wherein theoperations further comprise retrieving a profile according to thecommunication identifier.
 13. The media content processor of claim 9,wherein the communication identifier comprises a mobile identificationnumber of the communication device.
 14. The media content processor ofclaim 9, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving anauthentication message; and authenticating a subscriber according to theauthentication message, wherein the authentication message comprises adata message, executing the instructions causes the processor to performoperations comprising authenticating the subscriber responsive to a datamessage.
 15. The media content processor of claim 9, wherein thecommunication device comprises a wireless headset and a wirelesscommunication device, and wherein each of the wireless headset and thewireless communication device are wirelessly coupled to the mediacontent processor by way of the personal area network.
 16. The mediacontent processor of claim 9, wherein the personal area network operatesaccording to one of a Bluetooth protocol, a wireless fidelity protocol,an ultra-wideband protocol, a Zigbee protocol, a digital enhancedcordless telecommunications protocol, or combinations thereof.
 17. Themedia content processor of claim 9, wherein the media content processorcorresponds to a set-top box receiver operating in one of an internetprotocol television communication system, a satellite televisioncommunication system, or a cable television communication system, andwherein the processor is adapted to present media content.
 18. A method,comprising: detecting, by a communication device, a personal areanetwork; facilitating communications between the communication deviceand a media content processor over the personal area network; receivingat the communication device a notification from the media contentprocessor offering media content services in response to thecommunications between the communications device and the media contentprocessor over the personal area network; providing a communicationidentifier from the communication device in response to the notificationoffering media content services; receiving, at the communication device,notice from the media content processor that the communication devicehas been enabled to manage operations of the media content processorresponsive to the media content processor determining that thecommunication device has been recognize according to the communicationidentifier; and managing operations of the media content processor. 19.The method of claim 18, wherein the communication identifier comprisesone of a session initiation protocol universal resource identifier, or amobile identification number.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein one ofthe media content processor or a network element of a multimediacommunication system from which the media content processor operates,associates the communication identifier with the media contentprocessor, and directs the media content processor to present mediacontent to equipment of a subscriber.
 21. The method of claim 18,wherein the communication device corresponds to a wireless headset and acellular phone, and wherein the wireless headset is wirelessly coupledto one of the media content processor or the cellular phone over thepersonal area network.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the wirelessheadset is wirelessly coupled to the media content processor by way ofthe personal area network for managing operations thereof, and thecellular phone provides data services to a subscriber by way of one of awireless fidelity interface or a cellular wireless access interface. 23.The method of claim 18, wherein the personal area network operatesaccording to one of a group consisting of a Bluetooth protocol, awireless fidelity protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a Zigbeeprotocol, and a digital enhanced cordless telecommunications protocol,and wherein the media content processor corresponds to a set-top boxreceiver operating in a system selected from a group consisting of aninternet protocol television communication system, a satellitetelevision communication system, and a cable television communicationsystem.
 24. The method of claim 18, comprising transmitting to the mediacontent processor a profile of a subscriber of the communication deviceto manage media services provided by the media content processor.